I lucked into finding a local store that offers both t5's and metal halides.
I can get a 150 watt metal halide for around 130 bucks and he offers various sizes in the t5's but the only one suitable for my tank(36g bow) is the 24" duel bulb. Which is around 40 bucks and i'm pretty sure that is with the bulbs included?
What do you fellow aquarium enthusiasts think is my best option?

Prices seem really low, I would be leery of an inferior product. Are you planning on a high tech, high light tank w/ co2 injection; or a low light tank that is easier to take care of. e In my opinion each light will give you one or the other

They are pretty quality products, it is a greenhouse store more or less. But my LFS advised me to buy them from him, said thats what he uses on all his tanks and they work great.
I was considering doing Co2 injections, but idk how soon I would be buying a pressurized co2 kit. I don't think a DIY co2 system would work two well on a 36g

I wouldn't use MH without co2, It will be an algae farm. But it seems metal halide is the way to go. I didn't have any patience when I first started my tank and I am still paying the price for not having co2 from the start.

I'm debating, i'm going to be starting up some 10g plant grow tanks and hopefully sell them off. I was planning on running a MH for them, 1 MH for as many as I can squeeze on a stand probably 4 or 5 starting off and doing a diy co2 for them :P.
I also have a 55g cichlid tank that is due for a lighting upgrade so most likely ill add the t5 ho to that one!

I just got my first t5ho and it looks really nice and bright. i got the 24 inch over a 15 gallon tank. i have a glass top on the tank though and may just rune one bulb. i also only paid $42. i think it will work fine for me.

When the main lamp kicks on for my 30g it heats the room up uncomfortably. It doesn't really affect the water temp that badly but it's my office and I spend a lot of time there. For that, it's too much as well.

When the main lamp kicks on for my 30g it heats the room up uncomfortably. It doesn't really affect the water temp that badly but it's my office and I spend a lot of time there. For that, it's too much as well.

Yeah, most of the energy that is not converted into light is converted into heat instead, so for that metal halide, 75% of the energy used is converted into radiation. This leads to more expensive cooling bills as well. Yet another thing to factor

Yeah, most of the energy that is not converted into light is converted into heat instead, so for that metal halide, 75% of the energy used is converted into radiation. This leads to more expensive cooling bills as well. Yet another thing to factor

Imagine a 150w incandescent

All of the energy, whether or not it is converted to light, will end up as heat. Flourescents and halides watt for watt will put out the same heat.

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the The Planted Tank Forum forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Location

Your Location. As precise as you feel comfortable with.

Security Question

While balancing on a piece of wood, two inches by four inches known as a 2x4, John and his friend Sally both spotted a dalmatian inside of a truck with sirens. The animal with John and Sally is a _ _ _?

Insurance

Please select your insurance company (Optional)

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.